21 April 2008: I returned from my journey to PAWS. Actually, PAWS has two sanctuaries (both located out of the Sacramento area). The new one that will eventually house all of PAWS' animals is called ARK 2000 (2400 Acres of land in San Andreas, California). I was able to spend a full day there, mostly just hanging out and watching the elephants. I could have done that for another full day easily! PAWS currently has 11 elephants total (Asian and African, which are kept separated). ARK 2000 also now has over 30 tigers. At the original sanctuary (which I was also able to visit) is located in Galt, California (PAWS in Galt is on approx. 80 Acres+). There are a variety of wild animals from monkeys, 1 black leopard, lions, tigers, mountain lions (cougars), bears, 1 ... read more

Journal Entry: March 7, 2008 (Planned visit to Wildlife Safari and Howling Acres planned on March 8th, and a visit to Wildlife Images planned on March 9th). As a continuation to learn and explore alternative animal habitats offered around the world, I planned to look around my home state by visiting three "sanctuaries" in Oregon, in hopes of finding what I would consider to be a "true sanctuary". Please refer to my blog entry on the Oregon Zoo in January 2008, and my journey to India and Thailand to better understand what I mean by a "true sanctuary". What a true sanctuary means to me is that there is freedom for the animals to be the animals they instinctively are, without being excessively micromanaged and controlled by us humans. They should have adequate space to roam, ... read more

So, here is a little secret for those spiritual seekers out there about “Finding Yourself” in India:) For anyone who has traveled in India, most all would agree the country is a vivid place, full of extremes. The country is huge, with a population of 1.1 billion people, just second to China. One moment you can be shaking your head thinking how can people live like this, as experiencing the chaotic system that somehow manages the constant flow of traffic can be mind-boggling, if not ear deafening. Watching vehicles of all sizes, pedestrians, and animals (the abundant stray dog and wandering sacred cow) can be mesmerizing, until the adrenalin rush of personally experiencing crossing your first few streets sets in. The trash that is seen in most corners of life can make one question why there ... read more

(Note: This article was picked up by Daylife (a New York based online news site) as a lead article on February 21, 2008: www.daylife.com/article/0h0EaaM9hzel4. They also have some past articles they have gathered from some other sites regarding the plight of the Asian Elephant and the pro/cons of elephants performing for tourists: www.daylife.com/search/articles/all/1?q=elephant+polo). Elephant Polo (Before You Go): Two sides of the debate; Do animals enjoy performing for tourists? Traveling in Thailand, and India, as well as other Asian Countries, you may learn or have the opportunity to view (or even participate) in Elephant Polo events. The following blog entry is to highlight some issues to consider regarding the treatment and care of the elephant participants. Here's the Debate: Is the use of animals in entertainment (in this case, the "game" of Elephant Polo) ca... read more

9/5/08: Refer to the end of this entry re: specific information about Elephant Painting (information you need to know) and a current update regarding the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park (related, in part, to Elephant Painting): 12/28/07: Entry prior to leaving on this trip: After leaving Varanasi to Delhi, an early morning flight will take me back to Thailand. Again, I will stay a night in Bangkok, then fly out the next morning to Chiang Mai. The next morning I will be picked up by staff from the Elephant Nature Park and stay for four days. They have an EXCELLENT website which I encourage people to look at (www.elephantnaturepark.org). The life stories about the elephants they have rescued will present a heartrending view into the life of the domesticated elephant. These elephants are brought together ... read more

12/28/07: Prior to leaving on this trip I wrote: Following my visit to Jaipur, I will fly back to Delhi to catch another flight to Varanasi. I am not sure what my adventure will entail while I am there, but it is a destination I have wanted to visit for some time. In addition to staying by one of the main Ghats, I will also be spending some time at the Krishnamurti Retreat Center. Varanasi is known as one of the top pilgrimage sites for Hindus, and is considered especially auspicious to die here (also to get married). The Holy River Mother Ganga (the Ganges) flows through here, encouraging rituals of all sorts (bathing, cremations, offerings, etc.). There is a pollution problem here for a variety of reasons, and the river is considered to be septic. ... read more

12/27/07: Prior to trip I wrote: After Agra, I will depart to Jaipur which is famous for the Amber Fort, and other monuments and castles. While Jaipur is the gateway into a major tourist destination in India, Rajasthan; coming to Jaipur for me was inspired by my research about elephant riding. I learned about the wonderful work that the organization, HELP IN SUFFERING is doing. On their website they have this quote, " “It shall be the fundamental duty of every citizen of India … to have compassion for all living creatures” Constitution of India, Article 51-A(g)." That should be a worldwide law, shouldn't it? I knew I had to come and see for myself, even though this would likely be my first time placing myself in a position of witnessing elephants being exploited and not ... read more

5/27/08: Just an update on the Dancing Bear rescue project that is run by Wildlife SOS. They currently have rescued over 475 bears and the bears are said to be quite hungry! Please consider donating to support the care of the bears now rescued, and to support the efforts that this great organization is doing. www.wildlifesos.org 12/26/07: Entry prior to leaving: After Delhi, my next destination is the city of Agra. Known for the Great Taj Mahal, which is a monument inspired by Love, this is also listed in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die. I plan on visiting the Taj during the sunset. Reportedly, the best times to visit are in the morning or evening, as the light is said to play nicely against all the white marble. However, my main reason ... read more

12/25/07: This was my original entry before the trip: This will be my first time in Delhi (Northern India). My hope is to come in contact with some street elephants. The organization Wildlife SOS is doing quite a bit of outreach to give needed medical attention to these elephants. They are also trying to raise money to build a sanctuary. If my efforts to connect with this organization during my short time in Delhi fails, I will be just doing some city tours and seeing what Mother India wants to show me. I just got word that I will likely be able to connect with Wildlife SOS while in Delhi... someone was reading this Blog!!! The Universe provides! More to come! Journal Entries: Saturday, January 12th: Culture Shock! Well, the journey certainly has continued with my ... read more

12/24/07: What I wrote prior to leaving: I will begin this journey in Bangkok, Thailand, leaving the States on January 9th, 2008. This is my first time doing India and Thailand in the same journey, but that is the way things pulled together in the process of following the Universe's guidance. I knew I would be doing something with elephants, so was sure I wanted to go to Thailand again. I will spend just a few days in Bangkok: getting over my jet lag, and checking out some of the traditional sites. Then, I will fly to India to continue my journey there, before flying back to Thailand to spend time with elephants healing from a traumatic past in Northern Thailand. Some Journal Entries: January 9, 2008: I begin this journey. I am currently in the ... read more

This blog shares travel stories, writing, and narrations about spirituality and opening the heart to life. It includes some details from my three trips to India (in 2005, 2006, and 2008), other travels, organizations that are helping elephants (and the Dancing Bears), and even shares the secret of "How to Find Yourself" in India.
Cathy Rosewell Jonas:
As a fellow traveler on the spiritual journey, I am sharing what I have learned about opening the heart to life.
My book "Bringing Home the Mountain, Finding the Teacher Within" available now for pre-ordering: http://www.freeheartpress.... full info